State-of-the-art chest compression equipment brought to two local hospitals

Patients in cardiac arrest are set to benefit from brand new technology at two local hospitals thanks to their NHS charity.

The official charity for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, The Health Tree Foundation (HTF), funded the state-of-the-art machines through charitable donations.

The machines were requested via the HTF’s Circle of Wishes system by members of the resuscitation teams at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals.

The LUCAS machines which cost £8,250 each provide patients who are in cardiac arrest with consistent and high-quality chest compressions for extended periods of time. The machines improve CPR quality, increase chest compression fraction time both in the hospitals and during transport throughout the entire resuscitation.

Senior resuscitation officer at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Rachel Hewison, said: “The LUCAS machine will take some of that physical pressure off staff meaning we can provide even better care to the patient who is receiving the treatment.”

The machines deliver adequate tissue oxygenation, good blood flow as well as high quality chest compressions. All of these elements equate to potential better outcomes neurologically and physiologically for patients.

Rachel added: “Having the LUCAS machines at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals is geographically great news. If a patient in cardiac arrest needs transferring to another hospital, the machine can continue being used on the patient in the back of the ambulance.”

Kim McGee, senior resuscitation officer at Scunthorpe General Hospital, said: “Thank you so much to The Health Tree Foundation for these fantastic devices. They really are going to make such a difference to our patients.”

Community champion for HTF at Diana, Princess of Wales, Laura Gooderham, said: “It’s a really comforting thought for the community that if a loved one or even yourself was to unfortunately need the care of the amazing resuscitation teams, they have the best equipment available to further help patients and provide that above and beyond care.”

Community champion for HTF at Scunthorpe General Hospital, Hayley Thompson, said: “These machines are a great addition to the amazing resuscitation teams we already have here at the hospital. They’re fantastic pieces of equipment and will help so many local people.”

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